WHY SUPPORT COLLEAGUES GOING THROUGH MENOPAUSE?
60% of people going through menopause experience symptoms, with 20% facing serious symptoms. These symptoms, and the stigma associated with them, can have a significant impact on wellbeing and can pose a challenge for people as they go about their daily lives. For example, people may feel less confident and at odds with their desired image, in both their personal and professional lives. In a UK study 2 , 59% of participants said that their menopause symptoms impacted their work negatively. Nearly 30% took time off work because of menopause symptoms. Evidence shows that when people are experiencing menopause symptoms receive understanding and support from the workplace, the organisation reaps the benefits in terms of lower sickness absence and employee turnover, as well as increased employee engagement. The average age of menopause in NZ is 52 (although it may be experienced earlier) and women over 50 are the fastest growing segment of the workforce. We need to ensure that we create a positive working experience for this significant employee group. As life expectancy increases, people are working for a significant period of life after menopause. Adequately supporting employees experiencing menopause symptoms will help to ensure that AIA NZ continues to have a multi-generational and gender-diverse workforce where everyone can thrive.
Menopause impacts wellbeing
Menopause impacts work
Menopause impacts a large proportion of our workforce
It’s the right thing to do
2 Majority of working women experiencing the menopause say it has a negative impact on their work (CIPD), Mar 2019
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Menopause Support Toolkit
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